Chapter 14
"Surprise"
The autumn air was chilly against my skin. I was walking back home with Yagari-shishou by my side. I couldn't wait to get home. I was clutching a small gift in my hands, a blue box with a silver ribbon. As we got closer to the front door, I could hear voices speaking faintly. We didn't knock, just opened it with the spare key Yagari-shishou had. I was welcomed back by my mother's kind face, smiling towards me as she hung decorations up. She nodded towards the stairs as Shishou and father start chatting. I walked fast up the steps and towards our room, where I knew Ichiru would be.
I knocked on the door and heard a raspy voice attempt to call out, only to be cut off by a fit of coughing. I walked into the room to see Ichiru sitting up in bed, his hand to his mouth, still coughing away. I walked over to the bed, placing the present on the bedside table and began to rub his back. It seemed to sooth him enough for him to catch his breath. "How are you feeling?" I asked, but already knowing the answer.
"Same as always, lately." He spoke dryly. Looking past me, he noticed the present. With wide eyes he asked if that was for him.
"Of course, it is. It's out birthday after all." I reached around to grab it and placed it on his lap. The ribbon was the only thing holding the box closed, so he only needed to pull on the loose part of the ribbon to open it. Watching his face light up was the best part. His eyes glowed with delight as he saw what was inside. It was his favourite book, though the cover seemed to be a bit fuzzy to me. What was clear though, was the pale pink chrysanthemum that had been pressed and laminated into a bookmark. The petals and leaf having been carefully positioned to make sure it was perfect.
"I saw you eyeing that when we passed the bookstore."
"And the bookmark?" he asked. Looking up at me with a smile on his face.
"I spent the last couple weeks learning how to press flowers and got it laminated at the school." He was staring at me with a surprised look. "What?"
"I didn't get you anything…" His voice was a whisper and he looked down at the book on his lap.
"Ichi, you don't need to get me anything."
"Yes, I do!" he argued. "Zero-nii learned something new for me, but I wasn't able to do anything since I'm stuck inside and sick all the time."
"It's really ok, Ichi. The only thing I need is you. So as my present, I want you to get healthy soon. So, make sure to rest and eat enough so that we can play together again soon." I hugged him close to me.
Our moment was interrupted by our father calling to us that dinner was ready. Sliding off the bed, I helped Ichiru stand and together we walked downstairs to the dining room. Mother and father had set the table for five people. We sat next to each other on one side of the table as dad asked if we wanted cake only to end up in a silly argument with mum about needing to eat dinner first.
The dream faded on that calming scene, only for me to wake up slowly and with a heavy heart.
The days nearing our, I mean, my birthday were always bad. Today just so happened to be the 28TH of October, the morning after that dream. The dreams weren't my usual gory nightmares where I relived the worst thing to ever happen to me, but instead left a bittersweet taste and a heavy weight on my chest. I shared this day with another, someone who isn't here now. Nevertheless, I get changed into a warm sweater and dark pants, knowing I'm going to skip class today. I head to breakfast, pretending that everything is fine.
"Kiryuu." I sighed and looked over to the owner of the voice.
"Apparently, Cross wants to see you at his residence, something about a hunt. He said it was important. Also, You don't have to worry about your test with me this afternoon. We will pick that up on Monday." Kuran spoke as he walked up to me.
"Guess I won't be in class tonight then." I said as I walked past him and out the front door.
Walking up to the house, I noticed the lights were off and I could sense vampires inside. Normally it wouldn't be too unusual for there to be one, but Kuran was on his way to class, but the lights were off. It was getting dark so they should definitely be on by now. Maybe something sinister was happening? Is that why Cross wanted to see me?
I pulled out my gun and tested the door. It was unlocked. I ready bloody rose and as I ripped open the door, it was very quiet. I took a few steps inside before the door closed behind me and the lights switched on. A group of people all jumped up from behind the lounges and table, yelling "SURPRISE!" I jumped back, startled. Gun pointed at one of the three vampires in the room. There were streamers and balloons pinned onto the walls and tied down on things. Everyone was wearing party hats and had popped some party poppers, flinging confetti and streamers into the air.
Aah. It's a damn surprise party… You'd think they would know better than to surprise me like that.
Lowering my gun, I glared at them all and turned to leave. However, my attempt was thwarted by Yagari and Kaito who had moved behind me, blocking the door.
"No you don't. You aren't getting out of this." Kaito said, pushing me around and further into the room.
"Happy birthday Zero!" Yuki came up to me and gave me a shy hug. I pat her back and she let go, allowing the others to also congratulate me.
"Well, Breakfast and dinner is on the table so let's eat, you can all give him your presents afterwards." Cross ushered us all over to the dining room. It was all done up, with breakfast foods on dishes in the centre. I was forced into the seat at the head of the table, Yuki on my left with Wakaba to hers. Touya and Cross taking the final seats on the left while Kaito took the first seat to my right, digging in to the scrambled eggs and bacon. Yagari-Shishou took the far right while Shiki and Ichijou sat between them. The seat opposite from me was left unused and I could help but think of the person who should be seated there.
Where are you, Ichiru? Are you well? This day has never felt the same without you.
Yuki and Wakaba had taken to talking with Touya while picking at their food. Cross was chatting animatedly with Ichijou. Shiki was watching Kaito stuff his face in disgust. And Yagari was trying to avoid conversations with Cross and Ichijou. I was sitting there, pushing around my own food on my plate, and watching everyone interact. This is the liveliest birthday I've had in a long time.
Breakfast/Dinner didn't take too long, maybe an hour? And before long I was being handed presents. The first thing I was given was from Yuki. A flat box was wrapped neatly in lavender coloured paper, and inside was a new sweater. I smiled and thanked her and she squeezed me into another hug.
Wakaba was next, handing me another box, this one squarer than Yuki's but with the same paper wrappings. "You really didn't have to…" But before I could finish, she spoke, "I know, but I wanted to." This time it was a throw blanket. She must have bought this with Yuki on one of their trips to town.
Kaito handed me a small jewellery box. "I hope you aren't proposing."
"Fuck you." Was his blunt reply.
I opened it and saw a set of earrings. Only thing is, they were pink and in the shape of flowers. Clearly a gag gift. "Gee thanks, exactly what I was wanting to get."
"I know, I saw them and thought of you." I couldn't help but smirk at that.
Next to hand me a box was Ichijou. "It's a joint present from Senri and I." He spoke. It was a wrapped Tokyo Revengers manga volume. "I wasn't sure what to get you so I asked Yuki-chan what genres you liked. I hope you don't already have one."
"I didn't, thank you."
"Your very welcome." He replied. Shiki nodding but not saying anything.
"Rima, it's your turn." Ichijou said while pulling her over.
"Oi, I didn't get anything. My presence is my gift." Ichijou looked aghast, like she was committing some kind of blasphemy.
"It's fine, really. Don't worry about it." And it was, at least to me. I didn't expect to get anything from the vampires anyway.
Finally, Cross and Yagari brought over a bag. "You'll have to wait for next year to get the other half, but I think you'll be happy with just this one tonight." Cross spoke with a tender tone, unlike his usual over-the-top, happy attitude. Sitting in the bag was a case. A weapon's case.
Opening it up, I saw something I hadn't seen in almost five years. It was my mother's wire. Her chosen weapon that shed used to hunt. The same one she fought that woman with, trying to protect me. I looked back up at them both, Cross had a nostalgic smile on his face while Yagari looked as serious as always though he placed a hand on my shoulder. It was comforting to have him with me this time, he brought some normalcy.
I didn't get much time to dwell on it as Cross called everyone over for cake. We all watched as he set a medium sized lemon cake in front of me. After a dreadful chorus of the Happy Birthday song, I blew out the candles and cut the cake into even pieces. Passing them around the table till everyone had one. "Did you make a wish?" Asked Yuki.
"Oh, uh. Yeah, I did." I lied.
It's not like they even work anyway. There's no point in wishing.
"Don't tell us! Otherwise, it won't come true!" She added. I smiled towards her; she's always been the optimist.
Once everyone had finished, It was time for Yuki and Wakaba to go to bed, good thing tomorrow is Saturday. While they all said their goodnights, Touya tugged on my sleeve and when I turned to look at her, she placed an envelope in my hand and whispered "I couldn't give this to you before. Read it once you are alone." And she walked to Cross to thank him for allowing her in his home.
I slipped the envelope into my back pocket and bid everyone goodnight and followed the other vampires back to our dorm.
I was worried but also very curious as to what could be in this gift. Why couldn't I open it with company? I was back in my room now, and mulling over whether or not I should open it. Curiosity killed the cat after all.
Damnit. There's no reason for her to do anything to me, is there? I don't think she would… Guess we'll find out.
And I opened it. Inside was two pieces of paper. The first was a coupon but it didn't say for what. I figured the second piece would tell me and I was right. "Bring the coupon to me when you get hungry." Was all that was written. I was very confused. What could she do for me? I can't take the tablets, she knows that.
Surely, she wasn't offering her own blood. Right?
AU: This is a birthday chapter for Zero! It snuck up on me but I felt like writing something for him. It took too long unfortunately so its not his actual birthday anymore. DX I wanted to post this yesterday but getting it out on the 29th isn't so bad. Besides, I put out not 1 but 2 new chapters! And they are both pretty long! YAY! Hope you liked them!
